Michael Agosta

About Michael Agosta

I am Partner in the Litigation Group at A.Y. Strauss, where I help businesses and individuals navigate complex, high-stakes disputes, including breach of contract, partnership conflicts, and financial services litigation. I work closely with my clients to find the best path forward, whether that means negotiating a resolution, going to court, or using alternative dispute resolution.My practice spans a wide range of industries, including financial services, real estate, and technology. Over the years, I’ve defended companies in contract and fiduciary duty claims, led internal investigations involving corporate governance and securities issues, and served on trial teams in both state and federal courts. Clients often tell me they value my calm, thorough approach and the way I focus not just on the legal questions, but on what’s at stake for their business.Before joining A.Y. Strauss, I spent more than a decade at leading national firms handling complex commercial and financial litigation. I also served as Counsel in the Enforcement Department at FINRA, where I led investigations into broker-dealers and registered representatives for violations of securities laws and FINRA rules. That role involved building cases from the ground up, digging into data, deposing witnesses, and pursuing enforcement actions that often resulted in meaningful recoveries for investors.That investigative mindset still shapes how I approach litigation today. I believe strong advocacy starts with knowing the facts, anticipating the angles, and keeping my clients a step ahead.

Experience

1. Partner

   A.Y. Strauss, Llc

   Jan 2026 — Present · US

Education

• Rutgers University

  BA, Journalism; History

  1997 — 2001

• Fordham University School of Law

  J.D., Law

  2009 — 2012